The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) is celebrating the week of February 3, 2025, as National Tribal College Week with visits to U.S. legislative leaders who have tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) in their respective states.

Each year AIHEC hosts its member TCUs at a legislative summit with Capitol Hill visits to meet with lawmakers face-to-face to share information about their college’s successes, challenges, and needs. In support of these efforts, Congress has declared the week of February 3, 2025, National Tribal College Week.

“Our TCUs are chartered by their sovereign tribal nations or the federal government and are extensions of those nations along with the unique political relationship they have with the U.S. government,” said AIHEC president and CEO Ahniwake Rose. “While we are celebrating our TCUs this week, we are also ready to work with federal partners to ensure that all policies and decisions uphold the government-to-government relationship between the United States and tribal nations.”

This year’s theme, “Building Our Futures: Strengthening Our Workforce,” will highlight the importance of TCUs in workforce development and their economic impact. Tribal colleges and universities are open-door, place-based institutions that serve not only tribal citizens but the larger rural community. Some of their congressional requests include considerations of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the Workforce Pell Act, and extending Federal Employee Benefits to TCU employees. 

The TCU presidents, their staff, and students convening in Washington, DC will also meet with representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture and will host several student events, including professional opportunities.